Guam rail

Philadelphia Zoo has been a key player in the conservation of this endangered species since the Guam Bird Rescue Project was initiated in 1983. In our Pacific Islands exhibit, you will find:

Male: Hatched at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, FL, on August 14, 2013. He arrived in Philadelphia on June 9, 2015.

Female: Hatched at the Philadelphia Zoo on February 11, 2012.

There is also a Guam rail who lives off-exhibit at part of our ambassador animal collection; if you would like to meet Ga’Chong, contact the Conservation Education department to schedule an educational program today!

Viewing Hints

Look on the ground under the vegation in the Guam exhibit in MAC.

WHERE TO FIND ME IN THE ZOO

McNeil Avian Center

FUN FACTS

In Guam's native Chamorro language, the rail is called Ko'Ko'.

ASK AN EXPERT

Have a question about this animal?Ask an expert on our Docent Council!

In 1984, a captive breeding population of Guam rail was established with 21 birds captured on Guam. The last rail recorded in the wild on Guam was seen in the northern part of the island in 1986. The current population is descended from 10 of those original founders. Guam rail are found only in US zoos, a breeding facility at the Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources and in a small experimental population on the neighboring island of Rota. In addition, 16 birds were released onto the small island of Cocos just off the coast of Guam. This experimental population is maintained through periodic releases of captvie bred birds. The Philadelphia Zoo breeds rails for release on Rota in addition to breeding to help maintain this species is captivity. The Guam rail was driven to extinction in the wild due to predation by the invasive brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis.

Longevity

In captivity, median life expectancy is about 6 years for females and 9 years for males, but individuals can live to the late teens. Males are usually post-reproductive at about age 12 and females at about age 10.

Reproduction

They form monogamous pairs that maintain a territory. Eggs are laid in a small nest cup on the ground. The birds build a nest out of vegetation in which they lay 2-4 eggs. The eggs hatch in about 19 days and the young are precocial. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. Breeding occurs year-round.

SIZE

Approximately 11 inches in length (28 cm)

WEIGHT

Females are about 7.7 oz (220g.), males 8.5 oz (241g)

DIET

In the wild, Guam rails feed mainly on snails, slugs, insects, small lizards and carrion, but they will also consume plant material. At the Zoo, the rails enjoy a base diet of soaked dog food. The enrichment portion of the diet includes a variety of insects as well as greens.

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Island of Guam in the Northern Mariana Island chain

On the 2013 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Guam rail is listed as Extinct in the Wild.

To learn more about the conservation efforts at the Philadelphia Zoo, click here.